Colossus: World’s first fully functioning electronic computer

19th September 2004

1 min read

You didn’t read it wrong on the title, it is “Colussus” and not “ENIAC”. Like every one else I too remember the world’s first electronic computer to be “ENIAC” (Electronic Numerical Integrator and Computer).

But in a BBC TV Program last month, “Colussus” and not “ENIAC” was named as world’s first programmable electronic computer. Then I researched on the Internet and learned more about Colussus.

Colossus was built by the British Secret Service during World War II in 1944 for breaking Germans’ secret codes. The chief creator of Colossus was “Tommy Flowers”, a British Post Office engineer!. Since it was a Military Invention, its existence itself was kept secret till late 1970’s.